Rebecca Clitheroe
This is my work
Since 2013 I’ve been building up a collection of illustrations and prints of iconic buildings and landmarks. Each one is steeped in history, and each has a story to tell. I have a genuine interest in our heritage and an incessant need to understand (completely) my subject-matter. Consequently, through my research and collection of visual historical references, I created the ‘Hidden Histories’ concept. Faced with the challenge of not only producing an accurate artwork of each building, I set myself the task of ‘building in’ the story of it’s history too. From list-making, researching and sourcing visual references, eventually I reach a ‘bar’ and the illustrating and layering begins. Gradually I start to apply the pastel and pencil crayon over the black and white imagery to create the finished illustration.
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This is me
I am a freelance artist living near Buxton in the heart of the beautiful Peak District. I have three grown-up children, all living away from home, and all pursuing their own careers in the arts. As a result, I now share my home and studio with my loving cat Lola and rescue dog Trevor who both vie for prime position under the drawing board whilst I work.
As the ‘Hidden Histories’Â are concealed beneath the layer of colour, they become embedded within the illustration, encouraging the viewer to look deeper into the picture. This unique quality adds a new depth to the art works, and has proved popular with my customers and followers. The Hidden Histories are finally documented and printed with a brief explanation of their historical relevance to the building. This text appears on the reverse of the Greetings Cards and as A4 printouts to accompany all mounted and framed prints and originals. Â
Having built up a collection of Derbyshire illustrations, my fascination with historical buildings has taken me to iconic landmarks such as The Royal Albert Hall in London. In this case, the finished piece and the story behind it’s development was received with intrigue and enthusiasm from the marketing team at RAH, who requested the process behind it’s creation was documented along with a series of work in progress images. This insight into the production of the piece is published on their own website. You can read the article by clicking here.
Commissions
Personal commissions have also permitted me a privileged insight into the stories behind other less public places. I have drawn family homes, landscapes, holiday homes, wedding and special occasion venues and even student homes. Entry into the prestigious Buxton Spa Prize Open Competition over four consecutive years has seen my work awarded three times.Â
In 2020 I was commissioned by The Osborne Property Group to create a Hidden Histories Art Work to celebrate the long-awaited multi-million pound refurbishment of The Crescent (now The Crescent Spa Hotel) in Buxton, Derbyshire. Along with the Original, I supplied all 100 framed prints for the 81 bedrooms and suites. The Original is exhibited together with the 6 pages of written work in the reception area.
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© Rebecca Clitheroe 2021
All artwork and imagery is the property of Rebecca Clitheroe and should not be downloaded or copied without the Artist’s permission.